Everything’s a competition these days. There were always sports, but now it’s travel (“The Amazing Race”), losing weight (“The Biggest Loser”), picking a mate (“The Batchelor”), and cooking. Who can cook Brussels sprouts best among competitors? No one actually eats the Brussels sprouts cooked in Jell-O with powdered kale, but someone cooks it best.

Why not religious competitions, such as Best Communion Bread: Whole Wheat, Gluten-free or Soy Jesus. Best wine? Will we hear a minister say: “Blood of Christ, 2006, an excellent year”? I thought, ‘Why not pit two great founders against each other in a holy battle of virtues, the World Fighting Championship of Saints.

In this corner, representing 13th century Italy, Giovanni Francesco di Pietro Bernardone, wrestling as St. Francis of Assisi (the Franciscans go wild). And in this corner, representing 16th century France, St. Vincent de Paul (mild golf clapping, Daughter of Charity wing flapping). For our purposes, they are in a 2003 red Saturn driving through downtown Denver on Speer Boulevard during rush hour. There are men and women, some with childen, begging at most stoplights. How WILL they respond?

These gentlemen — well, one of them was — deserve context. Francis grew up in luxury like Downton Abbey. Vincent’s upbringing was more Downtown Alley. Francis, a handsome rogue, rejected his father, status and wealth to embrace what he termed Lady Poverty. Vincent grew up hard-scrabble poor with a big nose and little manners, learned early to hate poverty and ran from home, fleeing it as fast as he could. After casting off his fine garments, Francis wore rough brown robes with a rope belt, never sought church honors and was a lay brother in the community he founded. Vincent finagled his way into the priesthood because it was a good living. Although under the legal age and with little formal training, he talked a blind old bishop into ordaining him. The best he could afford was a simple patched black cassock.

Where is your moral compass pointing? What are your social values? Hark will explore faith, morals, ethics and character at the intersection of religion ethics, culture, politics, media, science, education, economics and philosophy. At times this blog will alert readers to breaking news and trends. At times it will attempt to look more deeply into intriguing subjects. Hark means to listen attentively, and we will, as readers talk back to the news.